GILLETTE, WY – A tragic plane crash in Wyoming claimed the lives of seven individuals, among them three members of the acclaimed gospel group, The Nelons. The Gaither Management group confirmed the fatalities, which included Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa.
The Nelons, a beloved gospel music family in the United States, were en route to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska when the accident occurred on Friday afternoon. Autumn, the daughter of Jason and Kelly, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram along with a personal statement.
Prior to the accident, The Nelons had shared a video from Nebraska City, indicating they were on their way to Montana. The crash took place in Campbell County, Wyoming, around 1 p.m. on Friday, as reported by Campbell County spokesperson Leslie Perkins.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident. Keith Holloway, a spokesperson for the NTSB, revealed on Saturday that preliminary information suggested an “auto-pilot issue during flight” may have led to the crash. A team of investigators has been dispatched to the crash site.
The Nelons, who were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016, have a decorated history in the gospel music industry. They have been honored with 10 GMA Dove Awards, including multiple accolades for song of the year and album of the year.
